Living the Sacrament of Matrimony
“Dearly beloved, you have come together into the house of the Church, so that in the presence of the Church’s minister and the community your intention to enter into Marriage may be strengthened by the Lord with a sacred seal. Christ abundantly blesses the love that binds you. Through a special Sacrament, he enriches and strengthens those he has already consecrated by Holy Baptism, that they may be faithful to each other for ever and assume all the responsibilities of married life” (The Order of Celebrating Matrimony, n. 59).
These words addressed to the bride and groom before they exchange their wedding vows capture the essence of the Catholic Church’s vision and teaching about celebrating a wedding as well as the experience of living the sacrament of Matrimony. They also are the context for 1) helping engaged couples prepare for this sacrament, 2) providing enrichment and supportive programs for married couples, and 3) ministering to persons whose marriages are troubled or have ended.
Because Christian marriage is raised up to the dignity of a sacrament, engaged couples enter a process of preparing for marriage. For information about this process to be married in the Catholic Church click here.
Marriage Enrichment Opportunities
Marriage Encounter weekends offer married couples the opportunity to get away from the distractions of everyday life and focus on each other and their marriage. Click here for more information.
Periodically we offer marriage enrichment programs and opportunities. Look for details in the parish bulletin and on the parish website.
The Marriage in Christ Seminar is for all married couples. Together with your spouse, you will develop daily habits of prayer, kind actions, and meaningful conversations to grow your relationship.
Resources for Troubled Marriages
Retrouvaille, a Christian peer ministry, is a lifeline for troubled marriages. Retrouvaille begins with a weekend experience to help a couple re-establish communication skills and to gain new insights into themselves individually and as a couple. Support groups are also available. Click here for more information.
Professional marriage counseling services are locally available to assist couples who are struggling in their marriage. Contact your health care provider for resources. Several counselors from the former Catholic Charities Counseling Services now provide professional counseling at Nathan and Associates, LLC, 2233 Hamline Ave. N., Roseville, MN 55113, (612) 444-9781.
Separated and Divorced Ministries
Since 1974 Catholic Divorce Ministry has been committed to the healing and recovery of those who have experience separation and divorce. Click here for more information on this Ministry.
Divorced Catholic.com provides a path to recovery, rebuilding, and renewal through a small group video series, online programs, books, and email inspiration. For complete details, click here.
Beginning Experience serves widowed, separated, and divorced persons to help them put closure on the experience of loss. Click here for complete information.
Remarriage in the Catholic Church
The Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese is a resource for persons who have been previously married and would like to get married in the Catholic Church. The declaration of nullity process explores whether the prior marriage was a sacramental union. Click here for their website.
Contact Fr. Matthew Malek at (952) 698-1710 for questions regarding the Sacrament of Marriage.
For questions regarding weddings at Risen Savior, contact Rebecca Dobias at (952) 698-1725 or e-mail Rebecca. Click here for details on Marriage Preparation at Risen Savior.